Suspect in Kodiak cathedral attack in custody; donations being accepted

Fr. Innocent blesses cathedral interior before services on Thursday, June 11.

KODIAK, AK [OCA] – June 2015

A 21-year-old man apprehended leaving Holy Resurrection Cathedral here on the evening of Wednesday, June 10, 2015, has been charged with felony charges of Burglary II and three counts of Criminal Mischief III.

The suspect allegedly broke a dozen windows and desecrated the altar and numerous interior appointments—including the skufia, wrought iron cross and chains of Saint Herman of Alaska, whose relics are enshrined in the cathedral—in what has been described as a “spree of destruction.”  As reported earlier, the relics of Saint Herman remained untouched.  [Seerelated story.]

On-line donations to assist in the cathedral’s restoration and repairs may be made on-line via the web site of the Diocese of Alaska, or the cathedral’s Facebook page and web site.  Donations also may be sent by mail to Holy Resurrection Cathedral, PO Box 55, Kodiak, AK 99615.

Established in 1794, the parish’s original church was erected two years later.  The current church—the parish’s fourth—was built in the 1940s after a devastating fire destroyed the previous church.  It was elevated to cathedral status in 2001.

According to Archpriest Innocent Dresdow, cathedral Dean, parish faithful and community members immediately undertook the massive effort to prepare and clean the cathedral for the celebration of the Akathistos Hymn in honor of Saint Herman, held every Thursday evening, on June 11.  At its conclusion, a heartfelt message from His Grace, Bishop David of Sitka and Alaska was read.

Below, cathedral parishioner Suzanne Bobo describes clean-up efforts and the Akathistos service.  Her account includes Bishop David’s words of thanks and encouragement.

“On Thursday evening, June 11, the faithful gathered at Holy Resurrection Cathedral to celebrate the weekly Akathistos to Saint Herman of Alaska and to pray for the 21-year-old suspect….  With the blessing of His Grace, Bishop David, the altar was re-chrismated after Father Innocent removed the blood that had stained the original white covering from the altar’s consecration in the 1940s and glass shards from the shattered top of the Chrism container.  Earlier that afternoon, 12 parishioners and community members came together to continue the glass removal and prepare the church for divine services.  A number of parish and community members came to the arraignment hearing and the judge asked Father Innocent to address the court about the impact and consequences to the parish faithful and community at-large….

“Before the Akathistos began, Father Innocent gave an emotional narrative of the damage, progress in the investigation and explanation of what was about to take place.  He then invited the faithful to gather at the foot of the amvon to watch the altar be re-adorned.  The Royal Doors and Deacon Doors were opened so the faithful could participate in the process as the clergy clothed the Holy Table with a replacement cover (the original green covers will have to be burned).  Father Innocent brought each of the holy items out from the altar to show the damage before placing them on the Holy Table.

“Once the Holy Table was in order, prayers appointed for the desecration of sacred items by a heretic were prayed from the Book of Needs.  Upon completion of these prayers, the clergy and faithful processed throughout the entire church and outside sprinkling Holy Water and singing the troparion to the Cross.  In the midst of grieving, the faithful experienced the grace of Pascha.

“After the blessing we began the Akathistos triumphantly before the open reliquary.  Saint Herman’s damaged monastic cross was placed at his head.  His chains were placed upon his chest and his skufia at his feet.  A copy of the Hawaiian weeping Iveron icon was placed below the Myrrh lines left in the lid of the coffin when the original icon was placed in the reliquary last July and streamed Myrrh up into the lid of his coffin.

“After the dismissal the following message from His Grace, Bishop David was read to the faithful.

“‘Few incidents in life will affect us as deeply as those that violate what we hold Sacred,’” Bishop David wrote.  “‘To see the Sacred space where our prayers are offered together, where we have been baptized, married, and have brought our loved ones for their final visit, in any form of disarray and brokenness is hard to look at or speak of.  So when this horrible act was discovered, you all came together, as a loving community of Christians and responded.  You were not looking for notoriety or fame, or even reward; you were just looking to do whatever you could to help begin the healing process that needs to happen to restore your Sacred Space.  It was an act of love for God and your home.  I want you all to know how deeply grateful I am for you dedication and love for Holy Resurrection Cathedral and Kodiak.  I offer my unworthy prayers on your behalf before our Loving God that He will guide you and send you comfort in the coming difficult days.  I recall the words of Pascha for all of us to remember, ‘Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered, let those who hate Him flee from before His face.’  May His love give you strength and hope, as Saint Paul encourages us, ‘So we do not lose heart.  Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.  For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal’ [2 Corinthians 4:16-18].’

“With the blessing of His Grace, at a date to be determined, desecrated items will be transported by boat accompanied by clergy, faithful and community members. The holy items will be burned in Monks Lagoon, on Spruce Island.  By the grace of God, nothing of antiquity will have to be burned.

“The outpouring from the community of Kodiak has been overwhelming and now the outpouring of love, prayers and support are coming from all over the world.  As we begin the process of healing and restoring we ask for your prayers.  If you wish to donate financially to help the parish repair and upgrade the security of the reliquary and Cathedral we have set up ways to do so online.  We will be posting regular progress updates of both the repairs and the upcoming criminal trial on the cathedral’s Facebook page and the Diocese of Alaska web site.”

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